Stolen vehicles threaten law and order

Karachi is witnessing a rising number of stolen vehicles and vehicles operating with counterfeit number plates, creating serious challenges for public safety and law enforcement.

These untraceable vehicles are not only causing financial losses for citizens but are also increasingly being used in crimes such as robberies, kidnappings, and other violent offenses.

Just days before the recent Eid holidays, Ali Hassan, a resident of Gizri, discovered that his Mehran had been stolen from outside his apartment. For the middle-class car owner, the theft represented both a major financial setback and the fear that his vehicle could be used for criminal purposes. His immediate step was to report the incident to the police so the theft would be officially documented.

The growing presence of stolen and fake-plated vehicles has become a major law-and-order concern in Karachi. Official figures reveal that thousands of such vehicles—including both cars and motorcycles—are currently on the roads. The Sindh Police recently detected around 1,600 vehicles using fake number plates through the Traffic Regulation and Citation System. The same surveillance system also identified nearly 200 stolen vehicles that were being driven without registration plates.

Since these vehicles were detected only in areas covered by surveillance cameras, authorities believe the actual number operating across Karachi is likely much higher.

According to the Citizens Police Liaison Committee (CPLC), more than 3,000 motorcycles and 138 cars were reported stolen across Karachi in January 2026. In February, another 2,726 motorcycles and 143 cars were reported stolen.

The Sindh Police’s Anti-Vehicle Lifting Cell (AVLC) continues its efforts to recover stolen and snatched vehicles, but recovery rates remain relatively low. AVLC spokesperson Umair Tanoli said the unit recovered 82 cars and 164 motorcycles in January 2026, followed by 83 cars and 226 motorcycles in February.

Security experts say there is a clear connection between stolen or fake-plated vehicles and criminal activities, as offenders frequently rely on such vehicles to avoid detection. CPLC records show that Karachi experienced more than 17,000 mobile phone snatching incidents in 2025, along with 21 kidnappings for ransom and 100 reported extortion cases.

Social development expert Gul Muhammad Rais told The Express Tribune that these vehicles pose a significant threat because they are difficult for law enforcement agencies to track. He warned that they can be used in street crimes, armed robberies, targeted killings, and kidnappings. Given Karachi’s history of instability, he added, such vehicles could also facilitate terrorism and organized criminal networks, underscoring the importance of stronger preventive measures.

Besides increasing security risks, vehicles without valid registration plates also undermine traffic enforcement, as they cannot be properly identified for issuing fines. DIG Traffic Karachi, Syed Pir Muhammad Shah, announced that the Traffic Police will soon begin a citywide campaign against vehicles with fake or missing number plates, with a crackdown expected to start within a week.